Mohali-Under the leadership of senior Punjab Congress leader and former Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu, Congress workers and leaders organized a protest against what they described as the Punjab Government’s anti-people policies, increasing intimidation, and lawlessness. During the demonstration, protesters marched from Sector 78 toward the office of MLA Kulwant Singh in Sector 79. However, a heavy police presence prevented them from proceeding further.
Addressing the gathering, Balbir Sidhu said that Congress workers carried banners and placards highlighting the alleged failures of the Punjab Government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). As a symbolic gesture of protest, workers scattered brooms on the road, conveying the message that just as the brooms were scattered today, the people of Punjab would similarly reject AAP in the next Assembly elections. He stated that the people of Punjab are frustrated with the government’s failures, unfulfilled promises, and authoritarian attitude.
Sidhu alleged that democratic values are being systematically undermined in Punjab and that the AAP government is attempting to silence every voice that speaks against its failures and anti-people decisions.
Referring to the recent arrest of Congress worker Arshdeep Singh from Tanda for the alleged “disrespect” of a broom, Sidhu claimed that the incident demonstrates how the Punjab Government is misusing the police machinery to intimidate and suppress political opponents. He questioned why, if swift action could be taken in a matter related to a political party’s election symbol, those actually responsible for acts of sacrilege against Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji have still not been punished.
Sidhu further stated that instead of listening to the legitimate concerns of opposition parties, social activists, employee unions, and ordinary citizens, the Punjab Government is attempting to suppress dissenting voices, a trend he described as dangerous for democracy.
He also strongly condemned the baton charge carried out under the supervision of a DSP against PSPCL employees who were staging a peaceful protest in Patiala for their legitimate demands. According to him, the use of force against employees fighting for their rights exposes the government’s authoritarian mindset.
Sidhu alleged that the Punjab Government is targeting every individual, organization, or political group that questions its performance. However, he asserted that the people of Punjab will not bow before intimidation and authoritarianism. He said that the Congress Party would continue to stand as the voice of the people and oppose every act of injustice, repression, and anti-democratic action.
Warning the government, Sidhu said that Punjab has always raised its voice against oppression and dictatorship. He stated that public opinion cannot be suppressed through force, false cases, or threats. If the government does not end what he called its politics of intimidation and vendetta, the Congress Party will launch a large-scale state-wide movement and fight every constitutional battle to protect the rights of the people.
The protest demonstration was also addressed by Harkesh Chand Sharma Machhli Kalan, former Chairman of the Kharar Market Committee and senior Congress leader, as well as Shri Hardayal Chand.
Among those present on the occasion were Senior Deputy Mayor Amrik Singh Somal, Contractor Mohan Singh Bathlana, Kulwinder Singh Sanju, Lakhwinder Singh Kala, former Sarpanch Amrik Singh (Kambala), Ashok Kondal (all Mandal Presidents), Councillor Kamalpreet Singh Banni, Mrs. Davinder Kaur Walia, Parmjit Singh Happy, Balbir Singh Transport, former Councillor Surinder Rajput, Inder Jeet Singh Dhillon, Gurcharan Singh Bhammra, Mukul Sharma (Block Youth Congress President), Sukhdeep Singh (Naya Shehar), Rajinder Singh Dharamgarh, Inderjit Singh Khokhar, Parmjit Singh Chauhan (IT Cell In-Charge), Harcharan Singh Grewal, Baljinder Singh (Phase-2), Baljinder Lucky, Ravinder Singh Ravi, Chaudhary Rishipal (Saneta), former Sarpanch Chaudhary Bhagat Singh (Saneta), Jagroop Singh Dhol (Kurri), Sarpanch Nahar Singh (Kurri), Gurdeep Singh Dhillon, Karandeep Dhillon, Gurdeep Singh (Mauli Baidwan), Jeet Singh (Mauli Baidwan), Preetkalam Singh Saini, Inderjit Singh (Balongi), Babbu Saini (Balongi), Kuldeep Chand (Sector 66), Rajesh Lahotra, Sukhjinder Singh Sunny (Basant Enclave, Sector 117), Rupinder Singh Dhanesh (Green Enclave), Surjit Singh Dhillon, Manjit Singh Grewal, Malkit Singh (Matour), former Sarpanch Amrik Singh (Matour), former Sarpanch Davinder Singh (Kurra), Gyani Gurmel Singh (Manoli), Darbara Singh (Manoli), Mangat Singh (Manoli), Harbhajan Singh (Raipur Kalan), Numberdar Gurcharan Singh (Gige Majra), Lakhbir Lucky (Behlolpur), Jaswinder Singh Pappa (Giddarpur), Harjas Singh (Mauli Baidwan), Gursev Singh (Mauli Baidwan), Bhagat Singh Baidwan, Inder Sharma (Mauli), Baljinder Singh Raja (Mauli), Sarabjit Singh (Mauli Baidwan), Udham Singh (Mauli Baidwan), Manjit Singh (Mote Majra), Balbir Singh (Gobindgarh), Dr. Darshan (Jagatpura), Surjit Singh (Mankpur Kalar), Jatinder Singh Sodhi, Harjit Singh (Siau), Avtar Singh (Gige Majra), Harraj Singh, Lakha Singh (President), Karamjit Singh Sidhu, Harcharan Singh Grewal, Harwant Singh Grewal, Principal Tarlochan Singh, Prabhjot Singh (Jhampur), former Sarpanch Ajmer Singh (Dau), former Sarpanch Mohan Singh (Raipur), Mohan Singh (Nano Majra), Ravinder Sharma, former Sarpanch Ramandeep Singh (Safipur), D.P. Sharma, Sher Singh (Dairi), former Sarpanch Gurwinder Singh (Nadiyali), Naro Devi (Jujhar Nagar), Amarjit Singh Moni (Jujhar Nagar), Sukhdev Singh Waraich, former Sarpanch Randhir Singh (Hussainpur), Harpal Singh Pali (Durali), Jagir Singh Lalia, former Sarpanch Ranjit Singh (Jagatpura), Krishan Lal, Sandeep Dhiman, Gagandeep Singh (Beropur), Ganeshwar Jain, Major Singh (Durali), Lakhbir Singh Lakkhan (Matour), Dilbar Khan (Matour), Dharampal Singh (Durali), Davinder Singh (Bakarpur), Balwinder Singh (Bakarpur), Gyan Singh (Kurra), Gurjant (Saneta), former Sarpanch Chaudhary Surinder Pal (Behlolpur), Chaudhary Seespal (Hussainpur), and Darshan Singh (Manana).